After collapsing during an outdoor workout in Arizona, Matthew Mayich is still in the hospital.
This week, following a terrible occurrence during what was supposed to be a regular offseason training in the heat of Arizona, the hockey community is offering a young talent their thoughts and prayers. Several hockey associations have issued remarks and the university involved has launched an inquiry as a result of the incident, which has led everyone to support a 21-year-old defensema battling a medical emergency.
Matthew Mayich, a prospect for the St. Louis Blues, has been hospitalized since Thursday of last week after collapsing during an outdoor workout at Arizona State University, where he had just moved before his sophomore NCAA season. After receiving a report of a “heat-related sickness,” Tempe Fire Medical Rescue sent crews to Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, at 8:31 a.m. to respond to the incident. Mayich was taken to a local hospital, where he remained Wednesday, after receiving on-site care.
The average temperature in the Phoenix region on Thursday was 92.5 degrees, and an excessive heat warning was in effect for the entire week, giving you an idea of how harsh the circumstances were that morning. That afternoon, the temperature reached a scorching 106 degrees.
Mayich Receives Support From The Hockey World.
Doug Armstrong, the president of hockey operations for the Blues, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing the team’s worry for the youthful blueliner.
Armstrong commented, “As Matthew Mayich is receiving medical treatment in Arizona, the entire Blues organization is keeping him in our hearts and praying for his comfort and recovery.” Over the past week, his agent has been giving us updates on Matthew’s health, and we express our sincerest sympathy to his family, friends, and teammates during this trying period.
The Ontario Hockey League, which Mayich played in for four years with the Ottawa 67’s before going on to college hockey, also gave its support. The young defensemen “earned the respect of everyone he played with and against” during his time in the league, according to OHL commissioner Bryan Crawford.
The family was represented by Victoria Beara, Mayich’s cousin and wife of Buffalo Sabres defender Owen Power, who spoke at a virtual prayer service in Mayich’s honor on Tuesday.
Notably, Fiscus declined to comment on whether the ASU hockey program approved the workout in question. According to NCAA regulations, college hockey teams can begin official activities after courses have started, and the incident occurred on Thursday, the same day that ASU’s autumn semester began.
With the 170th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Blues picked Mayich. Despite going to St. Louis’ prospect camps in 2023 and 2024, the Stoney Creek, Ontario native has not yet inked an entry-level agreement. Following the conclusion of his OHL career with the Ottawa 67’s, he played 34 games on the blue line at Clarkson University during the 2025–2026 season, scoring seven goals and eight assists. After Clarkson’s season finished in March, he declared his move to Arizona State, becoming a part of what was thought to be the largest group of Division I signees in the country.
The precise details of Mayich’s medical condition have not been made public, and his rehabilitation is still the main priority. All eyes will be on any information about the young defenseman’s health in the days and weeks to come, as the hockey community stands in solidarity and the university’s investigation continues.
